Valve control mechanism for reciprocated devices



April 25, 1950 I w I F. R. WHITCOMB 2,505,224 VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATED DEVICES Filed Feb.' 26, 194W IS-thetS-Sht 1 INVENTOR.

BY a2 9* M April 25, 1950 F. R. WHITCOMB 2,505,224

VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCA'I'EDDEVICES Filed Feb. 26, 1947 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8 I .96 .INVENTOR.

mmrzmafm BY Patented Apr. 25, 1950 VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATED DEVICES Forrest R. Whitcomb, Worcester, Mass.

Application February 26, 1947, Serial No. 731,146

4 Claims.

hydraulically operated device is automatically reciprocated between normal limits and in which extended travel or over-run is at times desired. as for work inspection or reloading.

The invention is particularly applicable to automatic cutlery-honing machines but is also capable of more general use.

'It is the general object of this invention to provide improved mechanism by which the range of reciprocation of the hydraulically operated device may be conveniently changed from short or normal travel to long travel or over-run, as and when required.

' A further object is to provide a construction in which complete stopping of reciprocation for work inspection or reloading may be conveniently associated with over-run of the reciprocated device.

Another object is to provide valve control mechanism which will be automatically reset for short or normal travel when the machine is again started in operation after over-run.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved valve control mechanism; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of certain parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a rear view, looking in the direction of the arrow 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional rear elevation, taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of a loading or lost-motion connection shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of a double reversing finger, looking in the direction of the arrow 1inFig.4; and

Fig. 8 is a rear view of a latch plate to be described, the view being a part section on the line 8-'-8 in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown portions of a machine comprising a fixed column 1 I) (Fig. 3) on which a sleeve I l is slidably mounted. A work-supporting head may be associated with the sleeve I! and is guided on the column H] for vertical reciprocation. Upright rods l2 and 14 are associated with the work head and share the vertical reciprocation thereof.

The reciprocated parts are actuated by any suitable hydraulic mechanism, controlled by a throttle valve l5 (Fig. 4) having an arm l6 connected by a link I! toa lever 18 (Fig. 3) pivoted at 2 l9 on a fixed bracket 23. When the link I! is shifted to the rightin Fig. 4, the throttle valve i5 is closed to stop the reciprocating travel of the work head and associated parts.

The bracket 20 is carried by a support 22 firmly clamped to the fixed column ID. A reversin valve 23 (Fig. 4) is provided between the throttle valve I5 and the hydraulic reciprocating mechanism and is connected by pipes 24 to a pilot or control valve 30 (Fig. 1). The control valve 30 has an actuating shaft 3! provided with a stop plate 32 (Fig. 5) secured thereto and having lugs 33 and 34 adapted to'engage a stop pin 35.

When the lug 33 engages the stop pin 35, liquid will flow through certain of the pipes 24 to set the reversing valve 23 for travel of the reciprocating parts in onedirection, and when the valve 30 is shifted to engage the lug 34 with the stop pin 35, the reversing valve will be positioned to cause travel of the reciprocating parts in the opposite direction.

A spring 36 (Fig. 5) is mounted on a rod 31 which is slidable in a pivot block 38 and which is pivot-ally connected by a stud 39 to the stop plate 32. The centers of the shaft 3|, block 38 and stud 39 are so related that the spring 36 passes dead center as the stop plate is shifted and yieldingly holds the plate in either of its extreme positions.

The shaft 3| is positioned by actuating members 45, 4! and 42 (Fig. 4) which may be clamped in vertically adjusted positions on the reciprocating rod l2. The actuating member 40 has two actuating fingers 43 and 44 (Fig. '7) and the members 4| and 42 have single actuating fingers 45 and 46. These actuating fingers engage arms and 5! (Fig. 2) on a sleeve 52 keyed to the outer end portion of the shaft 3: and freely slidable thereon. A washer 54 on the end of the shaft 3| limits the outward travel of the sleeve 52.

The fingers 44 and 45 engage the arms 5!! and 5| respectivelywhen the sleeve 52 is in its normal or outer position as shown in Fig. l, and the fingers 43 and46 engage the arms 55 and 5| when the sleeve 52 is shifted to the inner or run-off position shown inFig. 2.

The axial shifting of the sleeve 52 (Fig. 2) on the shaft 3| is controlled by a yoke lever '60 mounted on an upright rod 5| (Figs. 3 and 4) pivoted in fixed bearings 62 and 53. The yoke arms 65 are provided with rolls 56 positioned in a groove or annular recess 61 in a collar 68 secured to the sliding sleeve 52 previously described.

A latch plate-10- (Fig. 2) is secured to the collar 58 for axial sliding movement therewith,

and has a segmental portion I! (Fig. 8) of increased radius which is beveled for engagement in certain angular positions by a latch 12 mounted on a fixed pivot 13.

- At its lower end,- the sleeve-shifting rod Elhas left-hand end (as viewed in Figs. 1. and 3) the rod 'il' passes-=freelythrough a block 18 which is pivoted at 19 (Fig. l)' in the outer enclof'a lever 89. The lever 80 has a floating pivotal connec:

tion at 85 to a plate 82 pivoted at I9 and formed integral with the throttle VHJVBCZJCtIlQltiIIg-TIGVGI" l3 (Fig. 3) previously described. The: plate 82*.

has depending pins 84 and 85 which limit the swinging movement of the lever 8U"relative to the plate 82.

A collar 88 (Fig. 3) on the rod 11 limits move.- ment of the rod 1'! relative to the block (B'to the left in Fig. 3, and a spring 86 mounted on the rod F! engages lock-nuts-8'I on the'rodand'yieldin'gly holds the'hlock 18' against the collar S'B butpermitsmovement of tlie' block to the left inFig. 3 without corresponding'movementof therod'll.

Atits'inner end, the lever80'has'a swivel connection 89 (Figs: 1 and 6-) t'o a bar 953 which is slida-bly connected" with a second bar 9| which extends to thefront of 'the machine'; where it'is connected to a-handle 92 which is-mounted on a fixed'pivot93.

A 'slidingconnection between the-bars 90- and His shown 'indeta-il in Fig: 6. The bar 9! 'is slotted at 9 to receive studs 95 fixed in the bar 90. A spring 96' connect's'a stud 91 in thebar 9| to a stud98 in the-bar 90 and n'ormally'holds the 'bars QD andS' iin the relative-positions shoWnin Fig. 6.

The bar illl has a=notch i (Fig. 6)-in its upper edge, which 'notch-isada-pted toreceive the out turned end'llll of alatch lever" lil'Z (Fig; 1') whichis'mounted on a fixed stud Hi3 an'dwhic'li has its rear end portion positioned for engagement by a collar I94 (Figs; 1 and 3) mounted on the lower end of the verticallyreciprocated rod- 14'.

The-collar Hi4 engages the latch lever I'll? as my improved'valvecontrol'mechanism; I will now' describe theoperation thereof in controlling the limits'of travel andth'e stopping and'starting of thevertically reciprocated parts.

Operation The parts. are shown inFig. 1. in! positionforautomatic reciprocation of-thework headandassociated parts with short or normal travel. The bar Si! is held in its rearmost. or right-hand posirtion by the latch lever I02. The lever 8.8. has moved thearms 65-of the yoke. lever 6D. to the position shown, with. the-sleeve 52' and associated valve operating arms.50' and 51' in vertioalalignment with the upper. finger MI and. the middle finger 45 (Fig. 4).

Atthe sanre'time; the lever an has engaged the pin 84' and has movedth eplate". 82' and lever 18 (Fig. 37' clockwise-to'draw thelink ['1' tothe left in Fig. 4 and thus open the main throttleva lve' so that the machine may operate; The amount of opening of the-valve I5 is controlled by arr adjusting'screw H11 (Fig. 4') which determines the extreme left-hand position of the link IT.

The parts are shown in Fig. 4 just after the beginning" of the downward" travel of the work head and the rods [2 and I4 associated with said head. The middle finger 45 has engaged the armfii and has shifted the valve 3! at the top of the stroke, with the spring 36:;(Eig: 59 completing the valve movement to the operative position shown in Fig. 4. At the lower end of the stroke, the upper finger 44 will engage the finger 50 and thefvalve at will be shifted to its reverse operative position; with the parts as shown in Fig. 5.

If it-is..now desired to have the reciprocating parts travel upward or over-run to a more elevated position for inspection or reloading or any other purpose, the handle 92 (Fig. 1) is pulled forward until the spring-pressed ball IE5 enters the recess I01.

Itis important that the axial shift of the sleeve 52Ifrom the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 take place only when there"- ciprocating partsare substantially at: their lower limit of travel. For this reason, pulling-forward of the handle 92 merely tensionsthe spring 96 and slides the barilli forward relative to' the-bar 98, but the bar 9E3 cannot move until' thc collarm'd on the rod I4 approaches its lower'limit of travel .engagesand' releases the latchlever 02.

The springiiifi then acts on the lever'fllli (Fig. 1") to swingthe same anti-clockwise, which inturn swings the arms of'the yoke lever 6H to shift the sleeve 12 to the left to the positionshownin: Fig. 2, in which position the partsare retained by engagement of the latch "with the segmen-- talfportion H of the-pl'ate-IO.

The valveparts are now-in the position-shown in Fig. 2, with the arms 59 and 5! aligned with the inner upperfinger 43" andwith the: lower finger Eli. The range: of travel of. the reciprocating parts will now be increased by the vertical distance between the middle finger 45- and the lower finger 4t" (Fig. 4), thusproviding an overrun in the upward direction whichmay be of :any desired extent, depending on the-verticalad justment of the member 42 and finger ifi (Fig. 4) on the rod l2.

The work head will now continue to be reciprocated' with upward over-run so long as the handle 92 is left in the described-intermediateposition.

In order to stop the machine, the handle ST: is pulled fully-forward; with the ball H16 entering the recess I08. Such complete forward movement causesthe' lever to engage the pin (Fig. 1) on the plate 82- and to swing theplate counter clockwise, which in turn swings the lever 18 to the right in Fig. 4 and moves thelihlt IT to close the throttle valve l5, thus stopping the reciprocatingparts at their upper limit of travel or in any other desired position.

To start the machine up again. the lever 92 is shoved rearward, returning the lever 80 to'the position shown in Fig. 1 and thus moving the plate- 83 and'lever- Hi to open'thethrottle valve I 51 It is essential, however, that the valve sleeve 52 be held in its outer or over-run position. until the middle=finger 45- is below the arm 5!. Otherwise the arm will be brohen.

Itls for this reason thatthelatch plate flange H (Fig; 8 is made. segmental. The segmental flange will not be moved out of. alignment with the latch IZ torelease the sleeve 50 until the plate 10 hasbeen turned angularly with the valve 39 by the upper finger 43 at thelower reversal oftravel.

In the meantime,- the spring 85 (Fig. 1-) has: been compressed; and held loaded by the lever- As soon: as-the plate 10 is released from the latch 12, the spring 86 acts through the yoke lever 60 to return the sleeve 52 to the running position shown in Fig. 1.

The machine will now operate with normal or short travel so long as the lever 92 remains in its rearmost position and the latch lever I02 will prevent movement of the parts from this position except at the lower limit of travel, when the collar I04 releases the latch lever.

I have thus provided convenient and effective means permitting upward over-run of the reciprocated parts whenever desired and to a definitely predetermined extent. I have also provided for stopping the machine at any desired point during the over-run operation and I have provided for re-starting the machine and for automatically restoring the short or normal travel during the first reciprocating cycle. I have also provided safeguards which prevent shifting of the sleeve 52 axially on the shaft 3| except when the reciprocating parts are at or near their lower limit of travel.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. A valve control mechanism for a reciprocated device comprising a reversing valve, regular means to operate said valve to provide a normal locus of reciprocation, additional means to operate said valve to provide over-run, a control device to shift control from said over-run to said normal-locus, and means effective to store a shiftindication by said control device until said reciprocated device has reached that end of the locus ofnormal reciprocation which is not altered by over-run and to thereupon release said shiftindication.

2. A valve control mechanism for a reciprocated device comprising a reversing valve, mechanical means to shift said valve to reverse the direction of travel of said reciprocated device at each end of the normal locus of reciprocation. means to move a part associated with said reversing valve out of alignment with said mechanical means, and additional mechanical means to engage said valve part and to shift said valve to reverse the direction of travel of said reciprocated device at each end of a longer locus of reciprocation.

3. A valve control mechanism for a reciprocated device comprising a reversing valve, a sleeve on said valve, arms on said sleeve, a pair of 'fingersengaging said arms to reverse said valve, means to shift said sleeve axially, and a second pair of fingers engaging said arms to reverse said valve in the shifted axial position of said sleeve.

l} A valve control mechanism for a reciprocated device comprising a reversing valve, regularmeans to operate said valve to provide a normal locus of reciprocation, additional means to operate said valve to provide over-run, a manual device to render said regular means and said additional means alternately and selectively operative, a throttle valve, and connections from said manual device to said throttle valve including a lever mounted on a floating pivot and linkage between said pivot and said throttle valve through which further movement of said device in the same direction is effective to shift said floating pivot and to thereby close said throttle valve and stop reciprocation.

'' FORREST R. WHI'ICOMZB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,108,354 Swanson Feb. 15, 1938 2,164,811 Floss July 4, 1939 2,356,223 Crompton Aug. 22, 1944 

